AU warns Guinea renegade troops
2008-12-24 18:50
Addis Ababa - The African Union on Wednesday warned Guinea's mutinous soldiers of "stern measures" after they announced that they had taken power following the death of longserving ruler Lansana Conte.
The bloc's Peace and Security Council "warns of stern measures if the coup d'etat is materialised," said Ramtane Lamamra, the council's commissioner.
The west African country was plunged into turmoil after mutinous troops announced the suspension of the constitution and the dissolution of state institutions following Conte's death late on Monday.
They also named a military council, but the government in Conakry maintained that it was still in control.
"We strongly back constitutional institutions set up by the people and the government of Guinea," Lamamra said at the end of a special meeting called by the bloc at its Addis Ababa headquarters.
No bloodletting
"We are happy that there is no bloodletting. We want a smooth transition according to the constitution."
Earlier, Guinea's ambassador to the AU Amadou Camara said the "military council does not represent the majority in the army. The army is divided and it appears that institutions are partially working despite their announcement of suspension" of state bodies.
Guinea's constitution stipulates that the speaker of the national assembly will act as interim president until fresh elections are held.
The situation in the mineral-rich West African country remained confused on Wednesday with both Prime Minister Ahmed Tidiane Souare and parliament speaker Aboubacar Sompare contesting the plotters' assertion.
Conte - a reclusive chain-smoking soldier who came to power in a putsch - died late on Monday after a long undisclosed illness.
- SAPA